Fairs & Festivals in Jaipur, Rajasthan-India: Photos, Dates and Information
Events, Fairs & Festivals
While Jaipur celebrates festivals all
through the year (Click here for Rajasthan Festival Calendar) and it is not uncommon to witness celebrations, shobhayatras,
processions, etc. every day, yet there are certain events unique to Jaipur in
terms of practice and tourist value. They are given below:
Sakranti
Every January 14 is a day of going berserk
over kite flying. People of both sexes, and of all religions and castes turn up
on rooftops to participate and witness Jaipur's unique kite flying festival.
While blaring music and aerial frenzy continues outdoors, the more somber
traditions of the occasion are performed indoors.
Elephant Festival
On the eve of Holi (Festival of Color), dozens of
caparisoned elephants parade at the Chaugan stadium, vying for the coveted prize of
the best attired one. You can amble across to the
pachyderms and get your picture clicked with the (ahem!) Beauty Contest
participants. Elephant Polo and cultural songs & dances, making
this popular festival a top-draw tourist event.
Gangaur
One of Jaipur's most enthusiastically
celebrated festivals, it is special for women and girls who perform several
rituals associated with the event. A colorful procession of Goddess Gauri is
taken out in the streets of the walled Pink City. A great attraction among
locals and tourists alike.
Teej
The desert capital's way of celebrating
monsoons! Temporary jhoolas (swings) come up for young girls to enjoy. A
mammoth procession of Goddess Teej is taken out over the main streets. The pomp
and show includes elephants, camels, horses, chariots, palanquins, band
players, acrobats and folk artists.
Diwali Though celebrated all over India, Jaipur's
Diwali is extremely special. The city is thoroughly spruced up for the event a
week before. On Diwali day, each house, market, building, hotel and restaurant,
competes with the other in decoration and lighting as a glittering Jaipur
celebrates the Festival of Lights with firecrackers - whole night long. For more information and photographs on Jaipur's Diwali, please click here.
Jaipur Festival
A month long celebration with many
events meant to revive old customs and traditions of princely Jaipur. Various
programs, competitions and felicitations are staged. Culminates on November 18,
"the birthday" of Jaipur.
